Hi, I've been lurking for a while and gleaning a lot of info that's helping me fix up my gf's 1999 TH Magna Exec. Auto not sure if it's 3 or 3.5, butI'll check that later on the plate.

1st job was paing stupid $$$ getting a new key cut and coded to the vehicle, then finding the old key two days later:wtf:

Now I had the means to try and start it I got nothing. I wasnt seeing a voltage drop on my DMM on trying to start up, so spent ages in the rain checking fuses and relays. Eventually I relented and lay on the wet ground to check the starter and immediately found the problem. Some twat had removed the starter and not mentioned it.:eek2: oh how I laughed.

Now I have the starter back, but once fitted it just leaked a bit of smoke instead of doing anything starting related, well the solenoid fired, but that was all.

I stripped the starter and cleaned it up and I reckon the brushes are shot, they're worn down almost to the braid and one of them is badly pitted like it was stuck in the carrier and arcing to the armature.

I'll refit it and bash it with a hammer before comitting to new brushes and that's my question. Has anyone fitted new brushes themselves? Looks like I'll need to cut the old braids off and resolder the new ones on, but the biggest soldering Iron I have is only 1000w, so not sure it'll do the job.

Comments gratefully received.

PS - Great write up about the headliner restoration, that's another job I've got to get round to.

Cheers in advance:beer:

Starter motor brushes aren't soldered in, due to the heat the motor generates, it would just melt. Get another from the wreckers. Check that the engine still rotates by hand though.

Cheers MadMax, I have found a wreckers that has one for $90, but my Scottish heritage demands that I spend as little money as possible, hence the repair rather than replace route. Also I could be buying a used starter with bad brushes.

Good call on turning the engine though, I hadn't even considered that, any tips on where to attach a big socket and bar? I'm a Magna virgin:eek2:

While we're on the subject of where things are I want to lift the front with a trolley jack and put it in axle stands, but don't want to bend anything. Any ideas of good jacking and propping points?

on the harmonic balancer there is a fitting for a 1/2 inch drive. use a breaker bar to turn the motor.

Re the starter brushes - the braid to the brushes are usually clamped and soldered and can be replaced/bodgied - heat the clamp, spread the legs, remove braid, instal new braid, reclamp, solder.. You have only a 1000W soldering iron???:eek2:

You have only a 1000W soldering iron???:eek2:

Cheers hako, I've found a bloke that will do it for $40, so I'll let him.

I managed to bodge the starter by turning the coil brushes back to front and moving the carriers a bit and it worked fine, but don't want that as the final fix.

I also have a smaller soldering iron, for more delicate work. In fact I've only ever used the big one to accidentally burn myself and set fire to stuff.

Cheers hako, I've found a bloke that will do it for $40, so I'll let him.

I managed to bodge the starter by turning the coil brushes back to front and moving the carriers a bit and it worked fine, but don't want that as the final fix.

I also have a smaller soldering iron, for more delicate work. In fact I've only ever used the big one to accidentally burn myself and set fire to stuff.

I've never seen a 1000W soldering iron.....that would be one mother!